Trip Extensions

If your schedule permits, consider spending an additional three days and two nights in Japan, easily reached from Kyoto or Osaka, so you can visit historic Hiroshima and the nearby lovely park island of Miyajima.

Trip Categories

Day 1: arrive tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo! Arriving late in the day on your flight from the U.S., you will be met at the Narita or Haneda Airport and transferred to your comfortable, centrally-located hotel in Tokyo (approx. 1.5 hr drive), your base for the next four nights.

Meals

None

Lodging

Hotel Okura or Rihga Royal Hotel or similar

Day 2: toyko's temples and panoramas

Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa

Your family will learn the ins and outs of this vibrant city as you spend spend the morning exploring cosmopolitan, yet historic Tokyo and its many diverse neighborhoods. You'll head out around 9:00 am to the Asakusa district, an interesting and compact neighborhood filled with shrines and temples. Visit Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple complex. Afterwards, visit the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest building in Japan, for panoramic views over Tokyo. Before returning to your hotel, you'll take a walk through "Sumo Town" and pass by the stadium. When you return to your hotel around 4:00 pm, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax or do some of your own exploring.

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

Hotel Okura or Rihga Royal Hotel or similar

Day 3: tokyo

Japanese school children on a field trip

This morning's Tokyo exploration includes the neighborhoods of Shibuya and Harajuku by private vehicle. First stop is a visit to Shibuya to see the famous Hachi Statue, which commemorates Hachiko, an Akita dog known for his loyalty to his owner, even after his owner's death in 1932. Next, head out to the Harajuku area to visit Meiji Jingu, a famous Shinto shrine set in a large forested area. You then walk over to Harajuku, a cosmopolitan area of the city known for shopping, sightseeing and street entertainment. This is the place to experience the local teen culture. On Sundays, many young people gather here and engage in cosplay (costume play) dressed as anime characters and punk rock. Afterwards, your guide will assist with getting you back to your hotel around 3:00 pm, or you can choose to spend more time exploring the Harajuku area on your own and take a cab or the train back to your hotel.

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

Hotel Okura or Rihga Royal Hotel or similar

Day 4: tokyo free day

Shinjuku Gyoen Park is a nice place to take a stroll

You'll have the day free to explore Tokyo as you like. Your guide will offer suggestions that will maximize your Tokyo experience, or you can hire services for the day at an additional cost ($50-$300, depending on size of the group and activity chosen.) Some of our own suggestions include:

*Tokyo Museums: Edo Tokyo Museum containing exhibits depicting the history of Tokyo, formerly known as Edo; the Sumo Museum (if open) to learn more about sumo or Tobu Train Museum to see some of Japan's historical trains; and Odaiba Trick Art Museum, a fun trick museum filled with optical illusions.

*Ghibli Museum, one of Japan's most famous animation and film studios where you have the chance to learn all about anime and how it all began. *Note: you must have reservations to visit the museum.

*Excursion to Nikko, a sacred site with temples, lakes and beautiful scenery. Also stop at Edo Wonderland, a theme park with an Edo period theme that features samurai, a ninja maze, and more. The kids will enjoy learning about Edo's warrior traditions and past.

*Ueno Park, a spacious urban park in the heart of the city and Ueno Zoo, Japan's oldest zoo.

*Depending on the time of year, you may have the chance to witness a Sumo Wrestling match. If it's not tournament season, we may be able to arrange an early-morning training session at a beya, or sumo stable (pending authorization & not guaranteed)

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

Hotel Okura or Rihga Royal Hotel or similar

Day 5: mt. fuji/lake kawaguchi

If the weather is favorable, you'll get great views of Mt. Fuji

Around 9:00 am, you'll head out on the drive to the Mt. Fuji Visitor Center at Lake Kawaguchi for fantastic views of Mt. Fuji from the observation deck (weather permitting). Mt. Fuji, is perhaps Japan's best-known image, visible from Tokyo on a clear day, and towering over the area at close to 12,500 feet. Continue on to Lake Kawaguchi where you have an opportunity to explore the Wind Cave and Sengen Shrine, and visit a folk village to learn about traditional life. Here, you can take part in old style Japanese post card making or dress up like a Samurai warrior (additional cost). Overnight at a modern ryokan hotel in a traditional Japanese style room complete with tatami floor mats and futon beds. This is a great way to learn and experience Japanese culture. Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner, often consisting of rice with miso soup, fish, and pickled vegetables.

Note: If you have a tattoo, you will not be allowed in the public bath area and should inquire about a private bath.

Meals

Breakfast, Japanese Dinner

Lodging

Yamagishi Ryokan Hotel or similar

Day 6: lake kawaguchi/kyoto

Kyoto is especially pretty during the Cherry Blossoms

After an early breakfast, you'll leave the hotel around 8:00 am and transfer to the train station for an exciting bullet train on the Shinkansen (ETD 11:45 am) to Kyoto, an atmospheric ancient city that is home to much of Japan's traditional culture and history. It takes about two hours to get to this beautiful city full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, about 1600 Buddhist temples, more than 400 Shinto shrines, and many other culturally-rich sights. Kyoto is a city everyone should see at least once, and it has something for everyone both old and young. After meeting your local guide, you'll transfer by taxi to a lacquerware handicraft shop to try your hand at painting your own lacquerware masterpiece. You can even take it home with you! From here, you'll transfer to your hotel around 4:30 pm where you are free to make your own dinner options. Consider an evening stroll to a nearby neighborhood temple or shrine to explore on your own.

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

Keihan Hotel or similar

Day 7: kyoto

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out around 9:00 am on a morning exploration Kyoto with your guide using public transportation. Today's sights include Nijo Castle, a flatland castle built in 1626 as the Kyoto residence for the Tokugawa Shoguns and Kiyomizu, an independent Buddhist Temple that dates back to 778 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You then head over to the Kodaji Temple, an interesting temple established in 1606 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a great historical figure in Japan. Take a stroll through its Japanese Zen gardens and the bamboo grove. Before returning to your hotel, take a walk through the Gion District. Gion is a district of Kyoto, originally developed in the Middle Ages to accommodate the needs of travelers and visitors to the Yasaka Shrine. It went on to became one of the most well-known Geisha Districts in Japan. The Geishas here do not refer themselves as "geisha" - meaning "person of the arts" but as "geiko" - "a woman of art". Return to your hotel around 2:0 pm where the afternoon is free to explore on your own.

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

Keihan Hotel or similar

Day 8: kyoto

Visit the fabled macaque monkeys at Arashiyama, or Monkey Mountain

In the morning, you'll meet you guide at the hotel lobby around 9:00 am and board a local trolley bound for the Arashiyama ward of Kyoto, a designated Historical Site and a place of scenic beauty. You'll see some of Arashiyama's most important sites including Togetsukyo Bridge, the famous bamboo groves, and Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama's most important temple. There are many small, charming shops you can wander in. But perhaps the highlight of your visit here is Iwatayama Monkey Park where your family can observe Japanese macaque monkeys roaming free in a lovely hilltop park setting. Return to your hotel around 3:00 pm.

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

Keihan Hotel or similar

Day 9: kyoto

Enjoy a traditional Japanese meal while exploring Kyoto

Today you'll have the day free to choose from a variety of optional sights and activities in Kyoto. Your guide will be available to make recommendations tailored to your interests and will be on hand for those who would wish for the assistance. These options, for additional costs, may include:

*Mt. Hiei and Lake Biwa day trip - Mt. Hiei is the location of the Enrayku Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the current home to many monks. Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan with an interesting history. You can take a cable car to the top of Mt. Hiei.

*A scenic River Raft ride on the Hozu River.

*Nara Day Trip - Nara is Japan's oldest capital where you will find the oldest wooden temple and Big Buddha statue and deer that roam free.

*Experience a traditional tea ceremony and sample local Japanese sweets.

*Cormorant fishing, in which your family learns about and and experiences this ancient Japanese fishing discipline.

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

Keihan Hotel or similar

Day 10: kyoto/osaka/onward (or hiroshima)

When it is time to check-in for your international flight back home, you'll be transferred to Osaka's airport and say good-bye to your guide. Sayonara!

Or, if your schedule permits, consider extending for an additional day and night to visit historic Hiroshima and the nearby park-like and beautiful island of Miyajima. If you choose this option, you'll travel to Hiroshima today instead of Osaka.

Meals

Breakfast

Lodging

None

Price and Date Details

Land Cost:

From

$3,700

Group size 6-12: $4,100 per adult; $3,900 per child under 16; $3,700 per child under 12
Group size 4-5: $4,700 per adult; $4,500 per child under 16; $4,300 per child under 12
Group size 3: $5,300 per adult; $5,100 per child under 16; $4,900 per child under 12
Group size 2: $6,500 per adult; $6,300 per child under 16; $6,100 per child under 12

Single Supplement:

$400

The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.

Dates:

Custom & private on your dates

Need to Know

Duration:

10 days

The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.

Expenses covered

Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.

Expenses not covered

Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.

Pricing and Payment

For most group departures, the booking deposit is $500 per person per trip, though for some trips it may be more, as noted in the trip description. The minimum booking deposit requirement for custom trips is $800 per person, and this deposit is non-refundable. A trip-planning fee of $250 per itinerary is also charged to cover costs of preparing itinerary proposals for custom trips. This fee is credited to the cost of the trip, but is nonrefundable if you do not take the trip. Custom travel during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to trip confirmation.

For both group departures and custom trips, a second deposit of $1,000 per person is due 120 days prior to departure or at the time of booking for reservations made fewer than 120 days before departure. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to departure regardless of whether extensions or other arrangements are pending. Late payments may jeopardize confirmation of your itinerary and in some cases may result in additional fees. If we have not received final payment 30 days prior to departure your reservation may be canceled and subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy stated in the complete Terms & Conditions.

We accept payments by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check drawn on a U.S. bank account. Payment for airfare is required at the time of ticketing. Discounts that may be available for some trips are not available toward bookings made through travel agencies.​

Airfare

We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.

Insurance

When you make your application, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.

Itinerary Change Fee

There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.

From the Bird's Word Blog

February 26, 2015FISH MARKET: A tour of Japan

Asia Destination Specialist Kerina Rowley recalls her recent trip to Japan, starting with a famous fish market and reflecting on various highlights of this fascinating …

Best Time To Visit

overview

Journeys offers you a creative, affordable, dependable, hands-on experience of Japan. Celebrate the best of Japan’s past, present, and future on this family trip to the land of the rising sun. Your adventure begins in vibrant Tokyo, where you visit Senso-ji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. From the Tokyo Skytree, you'll have panoramic views over Tokyo. You'll spend time exploring Tokyo by public transportation to the famous Meiji Jingu Shrine and Harajuku - a popular hangout spot for local Japanese teens. You'll also have time to explore Tokyo on your own. Next, travel south to Mt. Fuji and visit the observation center where hopefully you'll have the rare chance to view this shy mountain. At Lake Kawaguchi, visit a wind cave and folk village. Your adventure ends at historic Kyoto an interesting city that mixes traditional with modern Japan. Explore the city’s old streets, open-air museum, and many other delightful attractions. This exciting family tour of Japan satisfies all of your senses as it brings your family together through history, exotic culture and, above all, fun!

If your schedule permits, consider an extension to Hiroshima to view and learn more about events, past and present, at this historic site and then enjoy a short excursion to the nearby park island of Miyajima and its fascinating wild population of deer and monkeys.

overview

Journeys offers you a creative, affordable, dependable, hands-on experience of Japan. Celebrate the best of Japan’s past, present, and future on this family trip to the land of the rising sun. Your adventure begins in vibrant Tokyo, where you visit Senso-ji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. From the Tokyo Skytree, you'll have panoramic views over Tokyo. You'll spend time exploring Tokyo by public transportation to the famous Meiji Jingu Shrine and Harajuku - a popular hangout spot for local Japanese teens. You'll also have time to explore Tokyo on your own. Next, travel south to Mt. Fuji and visit the observation center where hopefully you'll have the rare chance to view this shy mountain. At Lake Kawaguchi, visit a wind cave and folk village. Your adventure ends at historic Kyoto an interesting city that mixes traditional with modern Japan. Explore the city’s old streets, open-air museum, and many other delightful attractions. This exciting family tour of Japan satisfies all of your senses as it brings your family together through history, exotic culture and, above all, fun!

If your schedule permits, consider an extension to Hiroshima to view and learn more about events, past and present, at this historic site and then enjoy a short excursion to the nearby park island of Miyajima and its fascinating wild population of deer and monkeys.

itinerary

Welcome to Tokyo! Arriving late in the day on your flight from the U.S., you will be met at the Narita or Haneda Airport and transferred to your comfortable, centrally-located hotel in Tokyo (approx. 1.5 hr drive), your base for the next four nights.

Your family will learn the ins and outs of this vibrant city as you spend spend the morning exploring cosmopolitan, yet historic Tokyo and its many diverse neighborhoods. You'll head out around 9:00 am to the Asakusa district, an interesting and compact neighborhood filled with shrines and temples. Visit Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple complex. Afterwards, visit the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest building in Japan, for panoramic views over Tokyo. Before returning to your hotel, you'll take a walk through "Sumo Town" and pass by the stadium. When you return to your hotel around 4:00 pm, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax or do some of your own exploring.

This morning's Tokyo exploration includes the neighborhoods of Shibuya and Harajuku by private vehicle. First stop is a visit to Shibuya to see the famous Hachi Statue, which commemorates Hachiko, an Akita dog known for his loyalty to his owner, even after his owner's death in 1932. Next, head out to the Harajuku area to visit Meiji Jingu, a famous Shinto shrine set in a large forested area. You then walk over to Harajuku, a cosmopolitan area of the city known for shopping, sightseeing and street entertainment. This is the place to experience the local teen culture. On Sundays, many young people gather here and engage in cosplay (costume play) dressed as anime characters and punk rock. Afterwards, your guide will assist with getting you back to your hotel around 3:00 pm, or you can choose to spend more time exploring the Harajuku area on your own and take a cab or the train back to your hotel.

You'll have the day free to explore Tokyo as you like. Your guide will offer suggestions that will maximize your Tokyo experience, or you can hire services for the day at an additional cost ($50-$300, depending on size of the group and activity chosen.) Some of our own suggestions include:

*Tokyo Museums: Edo Tokyo Museum containing exhibits depicting the history of Tokyo, formerly known as Edo; the Sumo Museum (if open) to learn more about sumo or Tobu Train Museum to see some of Japan's historical trains; and Odaiba Trick Art Museum, a fun trick museum filled with optical illusions.

*Ghibli Museum, one of Japan's most famous animation and film studios where you have the chance to learn all about anime and how it all began. *Note: you must have reservations to visit the museum.

*Excursion to Nikko, a sacred site with temples, lakes and beautiful scenery. Also stop at Edo Wonderland, a theme park with an Edo period theme that features samurai, a ninja maze, and more. The kids will enjoy learning about Edo's warrior traditions and past.

*Ueno Park, a spacious urban park in the heart of the city and Ueno Zoo, Japan's oldest zoo.

*Depending on the time of year, you may have the chance to witness a Sumo Wrestling match. If it's not tournament season, we may be able to arrange an early-morning training session at a beya, or sumo stable (pending authorization & not guaranteed)

Around 9:00 am, you'll head out on the drive to the Mt. Fuji Visitor Center at Lake Kawaguchi for fantastic views of Mt. Fuji from the observation deck (weather permitting). Mt. Fuji, is perhaps Japan's best-known image, visible from Tokyo on a clear day, and towering over the area at close to 12,500 feet. Continue on to Lake Kawaguchi where you have an opportunity to explore the Wind Cave and Sengen Shrine, and visit a folk village to learn about traditional life. Here, you can take part in old style Japanese post card making or dress up like a Samurai warrior (additional cost). Overnight at a modern ryokan hotel in a traditional Japanese style room complete with tatami floor mats and futon beds. This is a great way to learn and experience Japanese culture. Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner, often consisting of rice with miso soup, fish, and pickled vegetables.

Note: If you have a tattoo, you will not be allowed in the public bath area and should inquire about a private bath.

After an early breakfast, you'll leave the hotel around 8:00 am and transfer to the train station for an exciting bullet train on the Shinkansen (ETD 11:45 am) to Kyoto, an atmospheric ancient city that is home to much of Japan's traditional culture and history. It takes about two hours to get to this beautiful city full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, about 1600 Buddhist temples, more than 400 Shinto shrines, and many other culturally-rich sights. Kyoto is a city everyone should see at least once, and it has something for everyone both old and young. After meeting your local guide, you'll transfer by taxi to a lacquerware handicraft shop to try your hand at painting your own lacquerware masterpiece. You can even take it home with you! From here, you'll transfer to your hotel around 4:30 pm where you are free to make your own dinner options. Consider an evening stroll to a nearby neighborhood temple or shrine to explore on your own.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out around 9:00 am on a morning exploration Kyoto with your guide using public transportation. Today's sights include Nijo Castle, a flatland castle built in 1626 as the Kyoto residence for the Tokugawa Shoguns and Kiyomizu, an independent Buddhist Temple that dates back to 778 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You then head over to the Kodaji Temple, an interesting temple established in 1606 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a great historical figure in Japan. Take a stroll through its Japanese Zen gardens and the bamboo grove. Before returning to your hotel, take a walk through the Gion District. Gion is a district of Kyoto, originally developed in the Middle Ages to accommodate the needs of travelers and visitors to the Yasaka Shrine. It went on to became one of the most well-known Geisha Districts in Japan. The Geishas here do not refer themselves as "geisha" - meaning "person of the arts" but as "geiko" - "a woman of art". Return to your hotel around 2:0 pm where the afternoon is free to explore on your own.

In the morning, you'll meet you guide at the hotel lobby around 9:00 am and board a local trolley bound for the Arashiyama ward of Kyoto, a designated Historical Site and a place of scenic beauty. You'll see some of Arashiyama's most important sites including Togetsukyo Bridge, the famous bamboo groves, and Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama's most important temple. There are many small, charming shops you can wander in. But perhaps the highlight of your visit here is Iwatayama Monkey Park where your family can observe Japanese macaque monkeys roaming free in a lovely hilltop park setting. Return to your hotel around 3:00 pm.

Today you'll have the day free to choose from a variety of optional sights and activities in Kyoto. Your guide will be available to make recommendations tailored to your interests and will be on hand for those who would wish for the assistance. These options, for additional costs, may include:

*Mt. Hiei and Lake Biwa day trip - Mt. Hiei is the location of the Enrayku Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the current home to many monks. Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan with an interesting history. You can take a cable car to the top of Mt. Hiei.

*A scenic River Raft ride on the Hozu River.

*Nara Day Trip - Nara is Japan's oldest capital where you will find the oldest wooden temple and Big Buddha statue and deer that roam free.

*Experience a traditional tea ceremony and sample local Japanese sweets.

*Cormorant fishing, in which your family learns about and and experiences this ancient Japanese fishing discipline.

When it is time to check-in for your international flight back home, you'll be transferred to Osaka's airport and say good-bye to your guide. Sayonara!

Or, if your schedule permits, consider extending for an additional day and night to visit historic Hiroshima and the nearby park-like and beautiful island of Miyajima. If you choose this option, you'll travel to Hiroshima today instead of Osaka.

Price and Date Details

Land Cost:

From

$3,700

Group size 6-12: $4,100 per adult; $3,900 per child under 16; $3,700 per child under 12
Group size 4-5: $4,700 per adult; $4,500 per child under 16; $4,300 per child under 12
Group size 3: $5,300 per adult; $5,100 per child under 16; $4,900 per child under 12
Group size 2: $6,500 per adult; $6,300 per child under 16; $6,100 per child under 12

Single Supplement:

$400

The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.

Dates:

Custom & private on your dates

Need to Know

Duration:

10 days

The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.

Expenses covered

Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.

Expenses not covered

Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.

Pricing and Payment

For most group departures, the booking deposit is $500 per person per trip, though for some trips it may be more, as noted in the trip description. The minimum booking deposit requirement for custom trips is $800 per person, and this deposit is non-refundable. A trip-planning fee of $250 per itinerary is also charged to cover costs of preparing itinerary proposals for custom trips. This fee is credited to the cost of the trip, but is nonrefundable if you do not take the trip. Custom travel during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to trip confirmation.

For both group departures and custom trips, a second deposit of $1,000 per person is due 120 days prior to departure or at the time of booking for reservations made fewer than 120 days before departure. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to departure regardless of whether extensions or other arrangements are pending. Late payments may jeopardize confirmation of your itinerary and in some cases may result in additional fees. If we have not received final payment 30 days prior to departure your reservation may be canceled and subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy stated in the complete Terms & Conditions.

We accept payments by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check drawn on a U.S. bank account. Payment for airfare is required at the time of ticketing. Discounts that may be available for some trips are not available toward bookings made through travel agencies.​

Airfare

We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.

Insurance

When you make your application, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.

Itinerary Change Fee

There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.

Trip Extensions

If your schedule permits, consider spending an additional three days and two nights in Japan, easily reached from Kyoto or Osaka, so you can visit historic Hiroshima and the nearby lovely park island of Miyajima.

explore the map

From the Bird's Word Blog

February 26, 2015FISH MARKET: A tour of Japan

Asia Destination Specialist Kerina Rowley recalls her recent trip to Japan, starting with a famous fish market and reflecting on various highlights of this fascinating …